hey guys let me start off by saying hopefully you guys dont get too annoyed because i have been searching and there are a lot of soft top threads with the same answers. this is not a typical what soft top should i get thread though.

i recently got a 97 wrangler with a hard top. i live in nj and considering it is still winter in new england the top stays of most of the time. i have had it off a few times though and its a task for two and nearly impossible for one. in the spring and summer i plan on going topless everyday i can but i dont like the fact that if im out and it starts to rain im in trouble. so naturally i have been looking at soft tops to get. im on a tight budget (being 18 with a part time job and school full time) so im not looking to break the bank. i was thinking about possibly selling my hardtop and putting the money into a top of the line soft top that will be good in the winter too. possibly the bestop super top nx or something similar.

the main things i need are ease of folding down/uninstalling along with folding up/installation and good in all weather be it heavy rain or snow.

my big problem is being in central jersey there are no good trails and all the places i go just to mess around are mainly atv trails which means A LOT of branches scratching the top pretty good. i dont want to have to worry about the ripping of a soft top when im out messing around.

i was wondering what you guys think would be best and if you have an experience with how tough certain tops are.

any suggestions are appreciated. sorry about the rant.

KidRock171

02-22-2011 03:32 PM

Soft top is always a better choice. Drop it and put it up by yourself in 4 minutes 1 with 2 people and it's always with you. They're pretty resilient. For instance we threw a can of butane into a Bon fire and it exploded red hot coals oeverywhere one about a half inch across landed on my top and sat there for at least 20 25 seconds. No penetration still waterproof. Bestop sells all around good stuff. Oif you can afford it get sailcloth. Quieter longer lasting and tougher. I'd also stay away from tinted windows they're REALLY dark. Also sorry about the rant but I hope this settled your curiosity.

jgorm

02-22-2011 04:03 PM

What about getting a bikini top for when it rains in the summer? Pull the carpet out and the jeep will be just fine in the rain.

KidRock171

02-22-2011 04:19 PM

The jeep is fine. But who wants to cruise at 45 miles an hour when it's raining. Ever ride a motorcycle in the rain? It sucks dick. Lol.

jgorm

02-22-2011 04:32 PM

I've driven on the freeway in the rain many times with the doors in, top up and no rear windows. I only get wet at stop lights when the wind is blowing from the back. I've driven with no doors and the top down in heavy rain too. I only got 'real wet' when going less than 25mph, or when semi trucks drove past the other way. IMO you only need something to keep the dash and steering wheel dry while the jeep is parked or stopped.

KidRock171

02-22-2011 04:42 PM

This is true. If you like the hard top alot. There are ways around not having a lid with you at all times. Like buying a soft top installing it and then folding it down in the back and clip the hard top you DO have over it. Boom. No interference. Dual top all weather setup. I just personally think a soft top is how a jeep was meant to look and perform. Functionality in all situations.

chadr

02-22-2011 06:54 PM

thanks for the replys guys. im really thinking about selling the hard top and getting a soft top. if anyone else has any examples of how tough they are that would be great.

Steve Loves Jeeps

02-22-2011 07:32 PM

I live in North Jersey and have owned my TJ for almost 3 years. I have a soft top currently and it holds up fantastic even in the winters we have had here. I have the stock soft top from the factory and it is still like new. It folds perfectly still and the windows are still holding up well (minus the one someone stabbed). I would recommend the soft top in NJ. The summers here can get quite hot. And if you practice enough, you can get the art of putting up/down of the top to just a few mintues (I'm at about 3 minutes). Also, being from NJ, hard tops sell very high here. You can get a very nice Bestop for the price of your hard top. As said above, get the sailcloth. My stock top can be quite loud on the highway. I am also a student still (college soph) so I get where you are with money.

neverfastenough1

02-22-2011 08:20 PM

Its still winter in New England? Good thing you're not there then. Gonna be warmer in New Jersey before New England, so you'll have the top off soon.

allblackwrangler00

02-22-2011 09:03 PM

thas y livin in the south is so good already had almost 2 weeks of 60 + weather its awesome !!!

chadr

02-23-2011 11:24 AM

thanks for the responses guys. and neverfastenough i have no idea why i said england instead of jersey. my mistake. nonetheless nj winters arent the best.